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As some of you may already know, I’ve been pretty vocal over the years on a particular subject – the regulation of kitchen installers. In April 2002 I wrote the following to the KSA (Kitchen Specialists Association), now known as the KBSA, (Kitchen Bedroom and Bathroom Specialists Association) “Surely there is a case for industry standards amongst installers and a vetting procedure along with proper training will not only benefit potential kitchen buyers but more importantly your members. Currently there is an abundance of under qualified fitters calling themselves kitchen installers for the purpose of obtaining work from retailers who only become aware of the inadequacies of their new fitter when a customer rings to complain after their initial installation. Kitchen Installation is and should be recognised as a separate trade and to attain this means investment in training installers. The KSA could take the lead by allowing installers entry under a vetting procedure." I did obtain a response promising that a reply would be offered for publication in our forum. It never did arrive nor did any contribution from those who were later placed in charge to develop training in the industry to a more recent post on the subject when it again cropped up in a similar forum post six years later in April 2008, despite my invitation to offer their opinions. What has happened most recently though, and it’s an initiative that will be of great interest to consumers as well as professional and skilled installers, is that the government has sanctioned an Institute to represent competent and skilled installers of fitted bedroom, bathrooms and kitchens in the UK. What is refreshing is that the directors of the iKBBI (Institute of Kitchen Bathroom and Bedroom Installers), have opted to liaise with and listen to, both the consumer and the quality installers they wish to recruit in an effort to shape an altogether different and modern association. Still in its infancy, I for one, applaud their modern approach and support their aims to make dodgy installations a thing of the past. Given that the latest figures from Consumer Direct reveal that complaints from consumers about home maintenance and improvements have risen by more than £6million (8%) to reach a total of £80million for the first three months of 2008, the need for a professional organization to represent skilled installers is not only imperative but long overdue. Almost a quarter of this value came from the fitted kitchen and bathroom sectors. Fitted kitchens were the second highest value at almost £14 million and fitted bathrooms the fourth at just under £5million. The opportunity now exists to change this andI would encourage any quality installers out there to become pioneers of your profession and consider joining to ensure that consumers can make a safer choice. Retailers too are invited to join and it’s a move that will surely benefit them, their reputation and their clients For further information visit the website www.iKBBI.org.uk t.foley@kitchensfitted.co.uk Post to:
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A Safer Way To Choose An Installer